British Cycling Endurance Team Roster

The British Cycling Endurance Team exists exclusively for Olympic disciplines, with the aim to develop world-class athletes who will contend for and win Olympic medals. Currently the only Olympic endurance events are the road race, time trial, omnium and team pursuit.

There are four tiers to the British Cycling Endurance Team including - Olympic Talent Team, Olympic Deveolpment Programme, Olympic Academy, Olympic Podium Programme. Throughout the four Olympic Programmes, the aim is to create competition for places and strength in depth. Team riders are selected in Autumn, with a review period six months later. There is a 'no closed door policy' and riders who are performing at a high level can be invited to guest with the programme at other times of the year. Some will go on to join the programme.

Here are the definitive details of all the members of the British Cycling Endurance Team, from development to management.

Olympic Podium ProgrammeThe Olympic Podium Programme (OPP) is dedicated to supporting mature, highly skilled elite athletes as they aim to win medals in major competitions, such as European, World and Olympic Championships.

Many of the athletes are members of professional trade teams in addition to their membership of the programme. For many, riding for a Trade team is an essential part of their preparation for major events, giving them access to the volume of racing and level of competition necessary to achieve the technical and physical conditioning required for major championships.

Many athletes live close to the programme's base in Manchester, though their racing commitments take them round the world.

All athletes involved with the OPP share common levels of professionalism, dedication and the will to succeed in their chosen disciplines. They are supported by an equally committed and focused staff, including team managers, coaches, mechanics, masseurs, sports scientists and a number of administrators.

Olympic Academy ProgrammeThe Olympic Academy Programme (OAP) aims to deliver riders to the Olympic Podium Programme who are ready to win medals at World Championships and Olympics.

Since its inception, the programme has taken talented riders and helped take them to new levels. Riders live the lives of full-time professional bike riders seven days a week. They are required to be disciplined, committed and focused.

They are required to live close to the programme's base in Manchester and there are many aspects of the Academy life which could be likened to going to University: it's often the first time riders have lived away from home; the skills development and learning experiences they go through are preparing them for adult life in their chosen career; they find themselves having to get on with strangers in a strange environment; and they are often making decisions for themselves for the first time.

However, there's probably more at stake day-to-day for members of the OAP than for any university student: the new challenges thrown at them have to be tackled against a background of high levels of self-discipline and year-round performance expectations. Of course, for the aspiring professional cyclist, sacrifices of lifestyle are a small price to pay in return for a chance to chase personal goals.

As with the whole cycling programme, from Talent Team through to Olympic Podium Programme there is a gradual move from skills training to physical conditioning. The first year in the Academy is usually heavily skills-focused, but as rider progress they will find themselves experiencing the progressive workload increases that they will have to handle if they are to succeed at the very highest levels.

Of course, many of the riders on the Programme will have progressed via the Olympic Development Programme, but there are still opportunities to join the programme direct, if you have the talent and the drive.

Olympic Development ProgrammeDesigned for riders under 18 years old, the ODP was added to the GB development structure in 2005. Places on the programme are discretionary and decided every autumn, with a review period six months later. There is a 'no closed door policy' and riders who are performing at a high level can be invited to guest with the programme at other times of the year. Some will go on to join the programme.

To maintain the quality of coaching, the number of riders in the ODP will be strictly regulated. Riders are given training programmes based around their education and other pressures. With some riders at school and others not, the programme of training and racing varies from rider to rider. Longer training camps are held during holiday periods: the amount a rider can learn at these is quite phenomenal.

ODP endurance riders have the chance to race in Europe and similar opportunities are being created for other groups in the programme.

The ODP provides riders with the support they need to become world class athletes. They have access to a network of support which is shared across cycling's Olympic Programmes. Whether it is advice on sports science, nutrition, injuries, or recovering from an illness, the Olympic Programmes have the best possible advice available.

ODP riders are coached on a one-to-one basis by dedicated ODP coaches. They also have access to coaches who work with the senior team (Olympic Podium Programme), particularly in the lead up to major Championships.

Riders are provided with various equipment including bikes. There is also grant funding available to help with costs of training, getting to races, etc.

The ODP is part of a pathway of progression for riders: The pathway begins with the Talent Team, where raw talent is identified. The most talented riders progress to the ODP then on to the Under 23 Academy and ultimately the Olympic Podium Programme. This pathway ensures that talent is identified early, skills are learnt young and that at senior level, more time can be spent on conditioning, not wasted on "catch-up" technical development.

What the coaches are looking for in athletes is a strong work ethic, self-discipline, commitment and skill. Sheer physical ability is not enough on its own. The willingness to work on weaknesses and an open mind to advice and coaching are essential.

As well as progressing riders to the Academy Programme, the ODP's goals are also to win medals at major championships such as the European or Junior World Championships.

Olympic Talent TeamBritish Cycling's Talent Team Programme consists of 31 members in 2012/13 and is designed for the youngest competitors, from 13-16 years old. Riders are assigned a coach who will prescribe training and racing to fit around education. There's also the need to commit to completing and returning a training diary and attending approximately four multi-day camps during the year in school holiday time. Opportunities may also arise to race overseas.